Enhancement Themes conference, Thursday 9 June 2016 John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh Creating the final chapter of the student journey: sell yourself to get ahead

Background Data

Module Designed to deliver key employability skills to level 10 students across the Business School that are pivotal in a dynamic work environment Rather than embed within the curriculum the programme designed a stand alone 20 credit module Whilst this started as a discipline embedded approach the cohort now includes Integrated Health students and students from the School of Education. Building the picture of the student journey from point of entry Encompassing university, part time jobs, internships, volunteering

Skills Resilience Working in a small Business Leading Influencing Assertiveness Networking Effective use of social media Negotiation

Programme Impact Graduate employment Increase self awareness Appreciate current skill base Identify skill gaps Develop the skills needed to get ahead Increase confidence Creating a personal brand

Academic Impact Requires a new way of thinking Lifelong learning approach Need to encourage learner and lecturer reflection Less information giving Focus on transitioning to the next step

Student Impact Understanding of your skillset. Preparation for interviews and assessment days. Facilitated the understanding of skills required for the industry you wanted to progress into and highlighted areas you needed to develop. Builds confidence as it makes you think about all the activities you have undertaken and experience you have obtained through out your degree.

The finished product

The endorsement Elisabet McLuskey BA(hons) Events Management “I was put forward for the second stage of the application process because of how well put together my answers in the interview were, due to using the STAR Technique”. Mark Mhlanga BA Business “I have an interview for a graduate role in London, the feedback was that I was given the interview because of my talking head”

Moving forward Reviewing skills focus Future roles we do not know of they even exist Supporting technology Starting from Level 7 or point of entry on digital CV Working on creating the digital footprint